It appears that new Ole Miss Head coach Houston Nutt has been busy talking on the phone lately.

One California junior college prospect got a call from the new head man Monday night and is excited about his opportunities at Ole Miss.

Santa Barbara's Dudley LaPorte appeared close to pulling the trigger for the Rebels on his official visit last month at the LSU game, has the new coaching change had an affect on who his current favorite is?

"I was excited to talk to Coach Nutt last night," LaPorte said. "He told me that he just got through watching tape on me and loved what he saw. He told me that he thought I could have a great career for him at Ole Miss."

LaPorte stated that Nutt plans on sending a new coach out to visit him very soon.

"That shows me that they are really interested in me," LaPorte said. "Ole Miss is still No. 1 for me. I hated what happened to Coach (Ed) Orgeron, but Ole Miss made a great hire in Coach Nutt."

According to LaPorte, the talented tight end came close to committing to the Rebels during his official visit.

"I was very close to pulling the trigger," LaPorte said. "Now I'm going to take my time and talk it over with my family."

One position for the Ole Miss Football 2008 recruiting class that is a concern is the tight end position.

Two Rebel seniors Robert Lane and Robert Hough both graduate after this season, leaving Ole Miss with two younger guys at the position.

"They want me to come in and start right away," LaPorte said. "That's very important to me."

Dudley, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound athlete that runs a 4.5 forty, attended high school in Stratford Connecticut and transferred to Santa Barbara CC after attending a year of prep school. He will have three years to play two. The talented tight end expects to graduate in May.